Welcome to The Nest
at Zimmer…
For children 3 through 24 months.
Infant Stage of Development…
Babies rely entirely on the adults who care for them. When their needs are met with warmth and consistency, they start to build trust in the people and world around them. This trust helps babies form secure attachments, building a strong base for their emotional well-being and growing minds. During this exciting time of rapid growth, babies explore with their senses, strengthen their motor skills, recognize familiar voices and faces, and start developing language through sounds, songs, stories, and play.
Program Info:
Ages: Up to 17 months
Days: Monday through Friday, with 3 and 5 day options
Hours: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM; parents select days and hours based on needs and availability.
Teachers and Ratio: 1:4
Daily Schedule: Each child follows an individualized schedule for meals and naps, with older babies often transitioning to a shared schedule over time. During diapering, feeding, and playtime, teachers maintain warm eye contact and conversation.
Meals: Food is brought from home and stored in the classroom refrigerator. Bottle-fed babies are lovingly held during feeding, while older babies sit in low chairs and practice self-feeding with teacher support.
Napping: Each child has a designated crib or pod, with bedding sent home weekly for washing. Teachers maintain full visibility of the napping area at all times.
Play & Socialization: Daily experiences include:
Tummy time and floor play to build strength and coordination
Whole-body movement that supports gross motor development
Story and music circles that nurture early language and rhythm
Outdoor adventures—in carriages or on the grass—for fresh air and sensory wonder
Sensory play with light tables, soft nooks, and textured materials
Creative exploration through age-appropriate art experiences
Communication: We use the Brightwheel app to keep parents updated on eating, napping, diapering, and to share daily photos. Teachers are available during pick-up and drop-off for brief chats, or by appointment for longer conversations.
Toddler Stage of Development…
During toddlerhood, children discover their independence and are eager to “do it by myself!” Their comprehension and vocabulary expand rapidly as they start to use words, gestures, and eventually sentences to communicate. We nurture their budding communication by talking, singing, and reading stories. Motor skills strengthen as they gain confidence in walking, climbing, and using their hands for more complex tasks. They also begin exploring early math concepts—such as identifying basic shapes and sizes, matching, and counting by rote (1-2-3!). As their awareness of others grows, toddlers begin to grasp simple routines and social expectations, like playing alongside each other. Gentle guidance, predictable routines, and nurturing relationships help toddlers thrive through this important developmental stage.
Program Info:
Ages: 18 to 24 months by October 1st
Days: Monday through Friday, with 3 and 5 day options
Hours: Half and Full day options, with Early and After Care
Teachers and Ratio: 1:6
Meals: With gentle support from teachers, toddlers gradually learn to self-feed, building independence.
Napping: The lights are dimmed, soft music plays, and children nap until their bodies naturally wake. At a parent’s request, we can gently awaken a child after a minimum one-hour rest.
Play & Socialization: Daily experiences include:
Floor and Table toys to build strength and coordination
Whole-body movement that supports gross motor development
Story and music circles that nurture early language and rhythm
Outdoor adventures for fresh air, exercise, and sensory wonder
Sensory play with a walk-in sandbox, light table, water table, and textured materials
Art with age-appropriate materials for creative exploration
Pretend play in the kitchen and dramatic play areas to spark imagination and social skills
Communication: We use the Brightwheel app to keep parents updated on eating, napping, diapering, and to share daily photos. Teachers are available during pick-up and drop-off for brief chats or by appointment for longer conversations.
